North of the Redwood Highway and California, an imposing representation of primitive man has guarded the entrance to Grants Pass since 1971, when the town's "Caveman Club" erected him. The caveman is 17-ft. tall, on a rock pedestal. He was created by International Fiberglass (Muffler Men makers) to celebrate a strange brand of town boosterism that started in 1922. Local businessmen would don furs and animal skins, marching down Main Street brandishing their ceremonial spikey caveman clubs. The activity was to promote caverns at nearby Cave Junction.
Today, though the local high school teams still compete as the Cavemen, the town is a little embarrassed by their throwback. You're unlikely to find the mayor in bears skins, much less a civic-minded video clerk dragging a realtor by her hair. Thirty years of economic evolution has swept by the resident Neanderthal, leaving him barely visible behind trees on a small square of grass among fast food outlets.
July 2005: The caveman is reported back on his pedestal.
July 17, 2004: The damaged caveman has been removed from its pedestal. This in from Caveman John: "The Oregon Caveman Club of Grants Pass are getting the old guy fixed. Thanks to one wonderful guy, who is doing the fiberglass on him. His name is John Stripling from Summer Breeze Kayaks. With the help from people of Grants Pass and around, the Oregon Caveman will be back at his home, watching over Grants Pass, very soon. Thanks to all who help out with money and help."
July 4, 2004: Vandals ignited the fiberglass statue, heavily damaging it. Two teens are suspected of the Independence Day atrocity. The Cavemen, a once large civic organization that hangs on with about 20 members these days, vowsto have the statue repaired.
